You can block websites in Chrome on Android using the built-in parental controls or by installing a third-party extension
Chrome on Android does not have a native website-blocking feature built into the browser itself. Your options depend on what you are trying to do: if you want to block sites for yourself as a reminder, you can use a third-party app. If you want to block sites for someone else on a shared device — typically a child — you will use Google's Family Link, which is a separate parental control tool that works across Android devices.
The method you choose matters because they work differently. Family Link blocks sites at the device level and requires setup on a parent account. Third-party blocking apps work inside Chrome and are easier to set up if you just want to restrict your own browsing. Neither method is foolproof — a determined user can uninstall an app or switch browsers — but both make it harder to visit blocked sites by accident.
Key Takeaways
- Chrome on Android has no built-in website blocker, but Google Family Link lets a parent block sites on a child's device.
- Third-party apps like Freedom, Cold Turkey, or AppBlock can block websites in Chrome if you want to restrict your own browsing.
- Family Link blocks sites at the device level and requires a parent Google account linked to the child's account.
- Third-party apps are easier to set up for yourself but can be uninstalled, so they work best as a reminder rather than a hard barrier.
Using Google Family Link to block websites for a child
Family Link is Google's parental control tool. It runs on the parent's phone and the child's phone, and it lets you set content restrictions, screen time limits, and blocked websites. To use it, you need a Google account (the parent account) and the child needs a separate Google account on their Android device.
Start by downloading the Family Link app on your own Android phone from the Google Play Store. Open it and sign in with your Google account. Tap "Create family group" and follow the prompts to add your child's device. You will need their Google account email address. Once the child's device is linked, open Family Link on their phone as well and sign in with their account — it will ask them to confirm that you are their parent.
After setup is complete, go back to the Family Link app on your phone. Tap your child's name, then tap "Controls on Google Play" or "App activity" depending on your Android version. Look for "Manage settings" or "Parental controls." From there, you can set content restrictions for the browser. The exact steps vary slightly by Android version, but the option is usually labeled "Approved apps" or "Content restrictions." You can block specific websites by adding them to a blocklist, though Family Link's website blocking is limited compared to its app controls — it works better as a content filter than a precise blocklist.
Using a third-party app to block websites yourself
If you want to block websites for yourself — to reduce distractions or break a browsing habit — a third-party blocking app is faster to set up than Family Link. Apps like Freedom, Cold Turkey Blocker, AppBlock, and Digital Wellbeing+ let you block specific websites or entire categories of sites. They work by running in the background and intercepting requests to blocked sites.
read one of these apps from the Google Play Store. Open it and create an account (some require this, others do not). Look for the option to add blocked websites — it is usually called "Block sites," "Blocked apps," or "Website blocklist." Type in the full web address of the site you want to block, for example reddit.com or youtube.com. Some apps let you block entire categories like "Social Media" or "Entertainment" instead of individual sites.
After you add sites to the blocklist, the app will ask you to grant it permission to manage your device. This is required for the app to actually block the sites. Once you grant permission, the app will prevent Chrome from loading those websites — when you try to visit a blocked site, you will see a message from the blocking app instead of the website.
The difference between Family Link and third-party apps
| Feature | Family Link | Third-Party Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | Parent blocking sites for a child | You blocking sites for yourself |
| Setup complexity | Requires linking two Google accounts | read app, add sites, grant permission |
| Can be bypassed | Harder — requires uninstalling on child's device | Easier — you can uninstall it yourself |
| Works across apps | Yes, blocks sites in any browser | Depends on app; most work in Chrome only |
| Cost | Free | Free or paid, depending on app |
What happens when you try to visit a blocked website
When you or someone on your device tries to visit a blocked website in Chrome, the blocking tool intercepts the request before the page loads. Instead of seeing the website, you will see a message from the blocking app or from Family Link. The message usually says something like "This site is blocked" and may show the reason why — for example, "Blocked by Family Link" or "Blocked by Freedom."
With Family Link, the child cannot dismiss the block without the parent's permission. With third-party apps, you can usually dismiss the block by entering a PIN or password that you set during setup. This is intentional — the PIN is meant to stop you from unblocking sites in a moment of weakness, but it is still your device, so you retain the ability to override the block if you choose to.
Limitations of website blocking on Android
Website blocking on Android is not a complete solution because it only works within Chrome and only on the device where the app is installed. If someone switches to a different browser like Firefox or Samsung Internet, the blocked sites will load normally. If they use mobile data instead of Wi-Fi, some blocking apps may not work. And if they have physical access to the device, they can uninstall the blocking app or factory reset the phone.
Family Link is more difficult to bypass because it is tied to the Google account and requires parent permission to remove, but it is still not impossible — a determined user can create a new Google account or use a different device. Website blocking works best as a friction tool: it makes it harder to visit a site by accident or in a moment of impulse, but it should not be your only strategy if you are trying to enforce strict restrictions on someone else's device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I block websites in Chrome without a third-party app?
Not directly in Chrome itself. Chrome on Android has no built-in website blocker. Your only option without a third-party app is Google Family Link if you are a parent setting restrictions for a child. Otherwise, you need to install a blocking app.
Will blocking a website in Chrome also block it in other browsers?
No. Third-party blocking apps usually only work in Chrome. If you want to block a site across all browsers, you need Family Link (which works at the device level) or a different type of app that blocks at the network level, which is less common on Android.
What if I forget the PIN I set for my blocking app?
Most blocking apps have a password recovery option in their settings or on their website. You will need to verify your email or phone number. If you cannot recover it, you can uninstall the app and reinstall it, which will reset it — but that defeats the purpose of having a PIN in the first place.
Can my child remove Family Link from their phone?
Not without your permission. Family Link is linked to the parent account, and the child cannot uninstall it or disable it without the parent entering their password. However, a child with technical knowledge can factory reset the phone or create a new Google account, which would bypass Family Link on that new account.
Do I need to pay for a website blocking app?
Some blocking apps are free with limited features, and others charge a monthly or yearly subscription for full access. Freedom and Cold Turkey Blocker both offer free versions with basic blocking, and paid versions with more control. Check the Google Play Store listing for each app to see what the free version includes.